Huntsville gazette., 1887-06-11
A SITUATION.
Three Young Ladies in Search Of a
Career.

1t was beautiful April morning; the
air just freshened with the bright drops
of a merry little shower; the hyacinths
in the window all sweet with spring
sunshine; and Mr.. Clickson had just
come down to his breakfast.
Breakfast was ready. Punctuality
was one of the virtues most strictly
observed in Mr.. Clickson's household.
He ate, drank, read the morning pa
.pers over his coffee, and then rang for
his letters and business documents.
Bensley, the butler, paused as he set
the Japanese tray on the table.
'If you please, sir,'' said he, "there
are three young ladies waiting to see
you"
81 sE..Three-young-ladies !" repeated
Mr.. Clickson.
''Yes, sir-three young ladies. They
said they were relatives; so ventured
to ask them into the blue saloon,"
added Bensley.
.'You did quite right, Bensley," said
Mr.. Clickson. II will see them pres
emily"
He read his letters, examined the
papers, and then sat looking into the
fire for few minutes.
What should he do with these three
young ladies?
Without doubt, they were the daugh-
ters of his cousin, Simon ScOfield, who
had just died, down in Clover Hollow.
Simon had had good income all his
life, but it had never occurred to him
to save any of it. He had eaten and
drank of the best, educated his daugh-
ters expensively, dressed them as if they
expected to become the wives of mil
ionaires, and had finally died, in as
gentlemanly fashion as he had lived,
leaving them without means and badly
hampered with debt.
OF course, their first idea was to come
to their rich cousin in New York. Mr..
Clickson walked into the blue saloon, a
pretty reception-room.
There sat the three Misses Scofeld.
The eldest, a fair, handsome girl,
looking very interesting in her deep
Grape, sat in a picturesque attitude on
the low sofa. The second was tall and
dark, rather inclining to the majestic.
The third was wistful-eyed, plump
little person, with quick, vehement
motions and cheeks glowing with the
excitement of thus finding herself in a
strangers house.
my dears," said the millionaire, Il
suppose that you are my cousin Simon
Scofield's daughters. I'm very sorry
he is no more-very sorry, indeed. But
don't cry, please-I am not partial to
scenes. Crying won't do any good.
Cheer up, and tell me which is which. -
The fair blonde rose. putting out both
hands, with the graciousness of a young
princess.
II am Haidee, dear cousin" said
she.
;4."And I am Constantia, said the
'dark ladye," with an elaborate cour-
tesy. ffgfG -
..And the little one in the cornerP''
said Mr.. Clickson. (Which is she?"
THAT is Kater' said the two elder
ones, at once. ''Pray, excuse her awk-
wardness. Kate is so absurdly bash
full" #s
ut isn't that I'm bashful," said Kate
Scofeld, coloring deeper than before;
"but if people have any questions to
ask of me, prefer that they should be
asked personally. / don't like to be
numbered, as if I were a bale Of
goods"
"Ah!" said Mr.. Clickson, half smil-
ing, II see. You wish to retain your
own individuality
y,r"Yes," said Kate, promptly.
'.Pray be seated, young ladies, said
Mr.. Clickson. "And now, in what way
can be useful to you?'
I 1--WE are homeless" said Haidee,
whose voice was low and sweet like a
1--WE need a career" explained Con.
stantia. ..lEt~
1--WE want to support ourselves, y
added little Kate, as the rich cousin s
keen black eyes rested last and most
inquiringly upon her.
That is easily done," said Mr..
Clickson. "Women are succeeding all
around us in this big city; why
shouldn't you?"
& ''We thought that perhaps you could
recommend us to some gateway OF sue
cess" said Constantia.
"Humph!'' said the old gentleman.
Would you like to teach?" L
4 ssOh!we couldn't teach. ''said Haidee,
her voice betraying some disappoint-
meht-